Why Did The Chicken? Read online

  “You almost hit my dog!”

  “Why don’t you keep your damn dog out of the street!”

  Jinx peeked out from behind a bush at the front of Morgan’s yard. Rambo’s owner was arguing with what at first glance appeared to be a giant chicken. Her eyes widened as the chicken flapped its ‘wings’ and cussed. Rambo was sniffing at its feathers.

  “Get your damn dog off me!”

  “What are you dressed like that for?”

  “It’s Halloween, you fucking idiot!”

  “Ah, take a flying leap.”

  “You first.”

  With an obscene gesture the man in the chicken suit returned to his car and started the engine. Or tried to. The car wouldn’t start. Cussing a blue streak, the man got out of his car dragging a medium-sized leather duffle. Seeing the coast was clear, Jinx stepped out from behind the bush. Her movement caught the man’s attention. He looked up and down before crossing the street. Morgan chose that moment to come out on the porch to water the plants there.

  Taking a firmer grip on his bag, the man approached the porch. “Hey buddy, my car quit. Mind if I use your phone to call a friend to come get me?”

  Jinx watched Morgan’s eyes widen. “Um, sure, okay.”

  “Great.” The man walked forward, his hand dipping into a side pocket of the duffle. Jinx growled at the sight of the gun he was holding just out of sight. She jumped up on the porch and followed Morgan and the chicken man inside.

  * * *

  “The phone’s right over there,” Morgan pointed out, fighting the smile that pulled at his lips.

  The man had removed the head of his chicken suit and set it on the hall table near the door. He walked in and brought his hand up. A gun, shiny, black and deadly, filled his hand. Morgan’s smile died.

  “Don’t really need the phone but I do need a ride, and you’re gonna provide it.”

  “What do you want?”

  “I told ya. A ride. In other words, your car, ya moron.”

  “Take it. The keys are by the back door.”

  “Well ya see, it ain’t that simple. If I take the car and leave you here, you call the cops. So I either shoot you, or you come with me.”

  Morgan’s heart was in his throat. “Couldn’t you just tie me up and leave me here?”

  “You got rope somewhere?”

  “No.”

  “Duct tape?”

  “No.”

  “Makes it kinda hard to tie you up, dude. Look, I rob banks. I ain’t never killed nobody and I ain’t looking to start now. Just come along nice and quiet and I’ll drop you off on the highway when it gets dark. By the time you get a ride, I’ll be long gone. Let’s move.”

  Morgan heard the rumble of Rich’s truck as it pulled into the driveway. “Oh, fuck,” he breathed then slapped a hand over his mouth.

  “What?”

  Morgan thought fast. “Um, my neighbor, he’s a sheriff. He’s coming over to collect a donation I promised to the sheriff’s department widows and orphans fund.”

  “Fuck is right. Listen here, buddy, you answer the door and get rid of him quick. One wrong move and I shoot you and him too. You got it?”

  Wide-eyed, Morgan nodded and jumped at the knock on his front door. Trying to slow his breathing, he approached the door. Saying a quick prayer he took a deep breath and opened it.

  Before Rich could say anything, Morgan jumped in. “Hello, Officer McMasters. I’ve been expecting you.” He quickly pulled out his wallet. “Here’s that donation I promised you. Fifty bucks, right?”

  Rich stood frowning at him. “Is this a joke?”

  “Oh, that’s right, it was a hundred wasn’t it? My mistake. So how’s little Timmy? Bet he’s all excited about Halloween. Dressing up as a pirate, didn’t you say?” Morgan was desperately trying to convey the danger when suddenly Jinx jumped up on the hallway table. With a bump, the chicken head rolled to the floor and landed at Morgan’s feet. “Oh, don’t mind that. I’m dressing up for the kids tonight.”

  Rich’s eyes widened in comprehension. “Cute. The kids’ll love it and yeah, Timmy’s gonna be a pirate. He’s real excited. Well, thanks for the donation, Mr. Jacobsen. I’ll send you a pair of tickets to the sheriff’s ball,” Rich promised affably. Silently he mouthed the words, I’ll be back.

  “Okay, I appreciate it.” Morgan gave a slight nod, relief making him dizzy. “Have a great day, officer.”

  “Thanks, you too.”

  Rich strode from the porch, got in his truck and drove away. Morgan closed the door and turned to find his guest waiting for him. “You did real good, buddy. Now let’s get the hell outta Dodge.”

  Desperately looking for something to delay them, Morgan faked a stagger and sat heavily on the sofa. “I’m sorry, I’m just overwhelmed. I just need to breathe a minute.”

  “Look, we ain’t got time for breathin’, wuss. On your feet.”

  Morgan stood and reluctantly led the way to the kitchen. “Would you mind if I have a drink of water?”

  “Make it quick. You got anything ta eat? Bologna maybe or peanut butter?”

  “I’ve got peanut butter and bread. I could make you a sandwich.”

  “Naw, but gather it up. We’ll take it with us. Hustle.”

  Morgan got his drink then gathered a loaf of bread and the jar of peanut butter. With the gunman’s approval he added a blunt knife from the silverware drawer and a bottle of soda.

  “Okay, let’s go.”

  Wondering where Rich had gone, Morgan opened the back door and led the way to the garage. He opened the door and stepped inside followed closely by the bank robber. He’d taken two steps when a scuffle broke out behind him. Whirling, he was just in time to see Rich, one hand holding the bank robber’s gun hand pointed skyward while Rich’s body slammed against him. Knocked into the wall, the man lost his grip on the gun, his legs folding as he collapsed. Rich kicked the gun away, his own coming out to train steady on the fallen man.

  “Morgan, you all right?”

  Breathing hard, Morgan managed a strangled, “Yeah.”

  “Good. Go wait out front, babe. Should be some backup here any minute now.” Rich started speaking into the microphone attached to his shoulder.

  “Okay,” Morgan agreed weakly. He managed to make it to the end of the driveway before dropping heavily into the grass near the sidewalk.

  In what seemed like no time at all, sheriff’s vehicles were converging from several directions. A uniformed officer stopped and knelt beside him. “Sir, are you Mr. Jacobsen?”

  Morgan looked up. “Yeah, that’s me.”

  “Are you all right, Mr. Jacobsen?”

  “Fine, just fine.”

  “We’ll need you to come with us, sir. You’ll have to make a statement.”

  Before Morgan could say anything a deep voice spoke for him. “I’ll take it from here, Jerry.”

  “Hey, Rich. All right. Congrats on the collar.” They watched as several officers led a subdued and handcuffed chicken to one of the sheriff’s vehicles.

  “Thank Morgan. It was his quick thinking that let me know the guy was here.”

  Jerry gave Morgan a nod, a smile and a look of respect. “Not everyone could have kept their head in a situation like this. You’re a brave man, Mr. Jacobsen.”

  Morgan grimaced. “Not feeling too brave at the moment. Could you excuse me?” Morgan ran for the house but didn’t make it. He ended up throwing up in the bushes by the front porch.

  Rich and Jerry exchanged understanding looks. “I’ll see to it he comes in to make that statement,” Rich told his fellow officer.

  Morgan was wiping his mouth when Rich’s hand encircled his elbow and urged him up the porch steps. He went gratefully. “Well, that was humiliating.”

  “But not unexpected,” Rich sympathized. He steered Morgan through the door, locking it behind them. “You’ve been through a trauma, baby. It’s only natural you’re upset. You want to go upstairs and brush your teeth?”

 
; “Yeah. I wasn’t sure you’d understand when I was talking all that bullshit about Timmy and dressing up as a pirate, but I figured you’d at least know something was wrong.”

  “You did good, Morgan, really good. We had men at the bank after the robbery and there was an All Points Bulletin out on the guy. My heart almost stopped when Jinx knocked that fucking chicken head off the table.” The arm Rich had around him tightened. “I was calling it in when I drove off. Even though I parked just a couple blocks down, it was the longest damn trip I’ve ever made. I ran all the way back and was listening at your window. That’s how I knew you were going out to the garage for your car.”

  Morgan nodded and let himself lean on Rich. He still felt a little shaky. Everything had taken on a surreal quality that was disorienting to say the least. Once upstairs, they went into his bedroom and through to the connecting bathroom. Rich leaned in the doorway while Morgan got his toothbrush and cleansed away the taste and scent of vomit from his mouth. He rinsed, put his toothbrush away and turned only to find himself slammed into the counter. Rich’s mouth closed over his with a desperation that had him moaning.

  Rich pulled back, eyes dark with his roiling emotions. “You could have been killed. I could have lost you.”

  “It’s okay. I’m here, right here,” Morgan soothed.

  “Show me.”

  Morgan immediately brought their mouths back together, the kiss hard, bruising in its intensity. Teeth, lips and tongues claimed and demanded. His cock was rising, filling fast while his moans of arousal filled Rich’s mouth. Rich’s hands reached around, cupped Morgan’s ass and lifted. Morgan grunted with surprise as he landed on the counter. Rich spread Morgan’s thighs wide and crowded between them. Behind the fabric that held them, their cocks came together with exquisite friction.

  With one hand behind his head holding Morgan close, Rich’s other hand frantically worked the button and zipper of his jeans. Morgan’s hands were far from still and together they worked to free each other, groaning and panting when bare flesh came together. Rich relinquished his hold on Morgan’s head and let it slide down to cup his ass. He wrapped his fingers around their cocks, holding them together, squeezing and stroking the hot, silky-hard flesh in his hand.

  Morgan was only a beat behind. He slid one hand down the back of Rich’s pants, kneading the taut muscles of his ass. His legs wrapped around Rich and pulled him close, his free hand sliding between them, his palm working over the leaking heads of their cocks. Rich threw his head back, and a deep guttural groan tore from him. They humped madly against each other, passion a runaway train that no one could stop. Smooth, hard thrusts became jerky and frantic as the pleasure reached its pinnacle.

  Morgan slid his thumb over the top of Rich’s cock, his nail lightly prodding the slit. Rich froze then jerked gracelessly, crying out, wet heat pouring over their hands. The rich, musky smell of Rich’s release hit Morgan and threw him over the edge. Pulse pounding, a low wail crawling from his tight throat, he convulsed against Rich and sprayed more heat and fragrant seed between them. Panting and moaning softly he collapsed into Rich’s arms. For a few moments they remained silent and still but for the rhythmic rise and fall of their chests, the audible intake of breath and the pounding of their hearts.

  It was Morgan who finally spoke first, his cheek nestled against Rich’s shoulder. “You did it again.”

  “What?”

  “Rescued me. You really are my hero.”

  “I’m just the guy who loves you, Morgan.”

  Morgan raised his head, his gaze meeting Rich’s. “Oh. You. Um… I.”

  Rich shook his head. “Still need help conquering that fear?”

  Morgan nodded.

  Rich smiled. “It’s easy. Just repeat after me. I.”

  “I.”

  “Love.”

  “Love.”

  “You.”

  “You.”

  Nodding his approval, Rich gave Morgan a tender kiss. “Now, look deeply into my eyes, put every bit of sincerity you can muster into it and repeat the words all together.”

  Morgan laughed but sobered enough to keep just a small smile curving his lips. He cupped Rich’s face in his hands, looked deep into two loving, indigo eyes and repeated the words. “I love you.”

  “Lucky me.”

  “Lucky us,” Morgan agreed.

  “Come with me when I go pick Mattie up? I think it’s time you start meeting my family.”

  Morgan’s eyes widened. “Really?”

  “Yeah. Then we’re going to explain to Mattie how he’s gonna have two daddies.”

  “Rich, are you sure?”

  Rich’s smile was immediate, his eyes filled with love. “Never been more sure of anything in my entire life.”

  Arms closing around each other, they lost themselves in a sweet, joyous kiss. Neither one saw the cat. Purring, her tail gently swishing, she slowly disappeared.

  Epilogue

  Their yowls of completion ringing out, Adjinxska and Cupid collapsed back on the satin cushion of her bed. Sated and satisfied, soft purrs fluttered from Adjinxska’s throat.

  “You did a marvelous job, lovely. I’ve never seen Venus so pleased,” Cupid praised, his fingertips stroking the soft fur along Jinxska’s spine.

  “You may not believe this, but I actually had fun. I rather liked those two mortals.” Jinxska returned the favor, loving the feel of Cupid when he took her in this cat-like form.

  “I must say your methods were most effective. The bank robber in a chicken suit? Masterful.”

  Adjinxska sat up, a slight pout on her lips. “I hate to say it but that wasn’t my doing. Pure happenstance. But it did answer one important question for all time.”

  “And what’s that?” Cupid asked with a frown.

  “Why did the chicken cross the road?”

  Cupid grimaced. “I’m almost afraid to ask but all right. Why did the chicken cross the road?”

  Adjinxska leaned forward, her lips inches from Cupid’s. “He was following the pussy.”

  Cupid groaned and grinned at the same time. “Smart man, er, chicken.”

  “Mmm. I wonder how you’d look in feathers.”

  “Jinxska,” Cupid growled in warning.

  “Pussies love birds.”

  Cupid rolled, bringing Adjinxska beneath him. “I have something much better for this little pussy than a bird.”

  Adjinxska’s gasping moan rang out. “Oooh, so nice. Cupid, darling, I’ll bet you can’t keep that up all night.”

  “You’re on.”

  Cupid won.

  Kate Steele

  What is it they say? Watch out for the quiet ones? Kate Steele has found that writing is the ideal way to release all those wild inner urges and she’s just getting started. “I’m aging in reverse. With the help of lots of plastic surgery and vitamins I fully expect to have my own male harem by the time I hit 90.” For now she’s settling for the quiet life in rural Indiana with family and pets. Guilty pleasure: Singing in the car. “With the volume loud enough I sound just like Celine Dion!” You can contact Kate and sing-a-long at [email protected] or visit her website at www.katesteele.com.